anyhow, to the point...
1: Dont clutter up your maps- it makes gameplay slower and also makes it look worse than if you put almost nothing on the map. sseriously. note: if this isn't enough, then see if my scenario design help document is ready in the download area at aom heaven. it has pictures, more tips etc, and a short scenario of my own inside for reference if you want. but remember: downloading costs money!!! lotsa money!!!!! (mainly the large files). thankyou. thanx
2: keep balance, in recources and embellishment.
3: It's alway cool to have a waterfall or reeds, waterlilies etc. in embellishment, but remember #1!!
4:instead of just beautifying water, do some finishing touches- like extra waves if needed, seeweed, fish, and textures (e.g. to make the waves look as though they are on low tide, put a darker sand extending into a lighter sand as if it is wet. many textures are lighter or darker).
5: cinematics: 2 things,
1-make sure they work thoughoughly. noone wants to waste money to download crap cinematics.if you didn't know money is involved, you do now.
2- try the build cinematic option so you can press esc to abort the cinematics when needed. all the triggers in between when the cinemode goes on and off will automatically be done when aborted- just like in the campaign!
6
7:don't just leave everything at that. put some detail into your scenarios like sounds for a new objective, shipwreck gathering, embellishment, and take the time to make sure it all goes perfect. study the campaign scenarios and see if you can identify the triggers used...
i would suggest that if you are starting to mod, get stephen_cains's help from the same place as where my help thing is. it helped me.
tomothy